40 - Part Two

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Clarity, now three months old, had received her first pair of hearing aids

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Clarity, now three months old, had received her first pair of hearing aids. The day before, Ryan and Winter had watched with awe as their daughter responded to sounds for the first time. CJ, who had been silent and withdrawn, was now vocal and curious. Her cries were no longer silent; she expressed herself with timid wails and coos, filling their home with her newfound voice.

While Winter is at work, and River and Wyatt had gone grocery shopping. Ryan found himself alone in the apartment with CJ. He went to the kitchen to prepare a bottle of milk, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the quiet moments he could now share with his daughter.

As he sat on the sofa, cradling CJ in his arms, he began to feed her. Her pale blue eyes, like his own, were wide with wonder. She gazed up at him, utterly fascinated by his voice.

"Hey, my little CJ," Ryan said softly, his voice filled with love. "How's my beautiful girl today?"

CJ's tiny hands reached up, her fingers grasping the air as if trying to touch the source of the sound. She made soft cooing noises, her eyes never leaving his face.

"You're such a daddy's girl, aren't you?" Ryan chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "You love hearing Daddy's voice, don't you?"

CJ's response was a happy gurgle, her mouth curling into a small smile. Ryan couldn't help but smile back, his heart swelling with pride and love. He continued to talk to her, sharing stories about their family and the adventures they had been on.

"You know, your uncles and I have seen some pretty spooky stuff," Ryan said, his voice animated. "But nothing scares me as much as the thought of not being able to protect you."

Today felt different. It was the first time he had the opportunity to talk to her, really talk to her, now that she could hear him thanks to her new hearing aids.

Her eyes constant, were filled with a mixture of curiosity and awe. She made a soft cooing sound, her tiny mouth forming an 'o' as she listened intently to the new and fascinating world of sound.

He continued talking, his voice low and melodic. "Did you know, CJ, that you have the most amazing uncles? River and Wyatt are going to spoil you rotten, I can already tell." CJ's eyes never left his, and her little hands reached up as if to grasp his words out of the air.

He couldn't help but marvel at her fascination. "You like hearing Daddy's voice, huh?" he said, chuckling softly. "Well, there's plenty more where that came from." CJ's response was another series of coos and gurgles, her eyes lighting up with each new sound. She was clearly delighted, and Ryan's heart swelled with love for his daughter.

CJ finished her bottle, and Ryan gently patted her back until she let out a tiny burp. "Good job, sweetheart," he praised, smiling down at her. She responded with a happy gurgle, clearly pleased with herself.

Ryan adjusted his position, cradling CJ against his chest. "You know, your other dad is amazing too. Winter is so brave and strong. He's been through a lot, but he's still the most wonderful person I've ever met. And he's going to love you so much."

CJ's tiny hand reached up, brushing against Ryan's cheek. He caught it and kissed her fingertips, feeling a swell of emotion. "You're going to have the best life, CJ. I promise you that. With so many people who love you, you'll never be alone."

~

The front door creaked open, and Ryan looked up to see Winter stepping into the apartment. His wings folded neatly behind him, and the antlers, though a stark reminder of his ordeal, seemed to blend into his aura of quiet strength. He smiled at the sight of Ryan and CJ on the sofa. "Hey, you two," he greeted softly, his voice tinged with warmth and love.

Ryan smiled back, his heart lifting at the sight of his partner. "Hey. How was work?"

"Exhausting, but good. I'm just glad to be home." Winter walked over and kissed Ryan, then gently caressed CJ's cheek. "And how's our little princess doing?"

"She's amazing," Ryan said, his voice full of pride. "She was cooing and reacting to everything I said."

Winter's eyes softened as he looked at CJ. "That's wonderful. She's going to be talking our ears off before we know it."

Ryan laughed. "I can't wait." He glanced at Winter,

He looked down to see her smiling up at him, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"You're such a happy baby," he said, his own smile widening. "I wonder what you're thinking about right now."

CJ's little sounds turned into a series of happy coos, her tiny feet kicking in excitement. Ryan chuckled, the sound filling the room with warmth.

"You really are a daddy's girl," he whispered, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this precious moment. "And I'm the luckiest dad in the world."

With Winter having gone to take a shower, Ryan's thoughts were interrupted by CJ's tiny hand reaching up to grasp his finger. He chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through the quiet apartment. "You've got quite a grip there, just like your Uncle River," he said. "And those coos... you sound just like your Uncle Wyatt when he's excited about a new ghost hunt."

The apartment, once filled with the sounds of four grown men navigating their paranormal investigations, now had the sweet addition of CJ's baby sounds. Wyatt and River had taken to their roles as uncles with enthusiasm, showering CJ with affection and toys. Winter, despite the challenges he faced, had embraced fatherhood with a fierce love that Ryan admired deeply.

"Your Uncle Wyatt and Uncle River will be back soon," Ryan continued, his voice a soothing cadence. "They went to get some groceries, and I bet they'll bring you back something special."

As the evening settled in, the apartment filled with the sounds of Wyatt and River returning, their laughter and banter a comforting backdrop to the serenity of their little family. They gathered around, sharing stories and making plans for the future, the bond between them all growing ever stronger.

Ryan knew that there would be challenges ahead. Winter's transformation was still a source of uncertainty, and the world outside their apartment was not always kind. But within these walls, surrounded by love and support, they had created a sanctuary.

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